Leaving for bangkok in 4 days...need quick advice!?

my fiance and i planned a last minute trip from halifax, canada to bangkok for 3 and a half weeks. we'll be arriving at bkk at 11.55pm in the night and we have plans to split our trip between phuket and bangkok for the 3 weeks. can someone please suggest a good time frame for each location...and also suggest a moderate hotel that might include shuttle services from the airport to the hotel?

on the side, i was wondering how much re-bonding (permanently straightening) my hair in bangkok would cost (medium-length).

also, what is the best option for traveling to phuket from bangkok? are there any good deals by boats/ferries?

hi
2-3 nights bangkok, after your jet lag that is, over to kanchanaburi, ( 1 night ), up to ayuthya ( that can be done on a day trip. floating market , you have to wake early for that. Royal palace ( grand palace ), then fly down to phuket ( or bus if you are on a budget ). spend the time there around the islands. I am telling people not to go to phi phi. its personal choice of course but that bloody movie as ruined so much and that LP book needs to take responsibility for so many people visitying the same place. Any way, around there are lots of other islands you can visit, snorkle dive, elephant rides etc. hair- bonding , i dont have any so i cant help. Have fun

I would spend 2 weeks in Phuket (lovely place and plenty to do), Then spend the rest in Bangkok, there are also lots to do in Bangkok besides shop,shop,shop. We stayed at the Patong Merlin hotel in Phuket, the service and hotel was great!, Markets along side and resturants, with beach right out your door.......
I would fly from Bangkok to phuket, it takes 1 hour(from memory).
Good Luck and have fun!!!!!

i did re-bonding in bkk before
1500 - 2000 baht

the first time in BK can be a bit overwhelming so I suggest 4-5 days and the rest on phuket, or ko lanta

many good hotels in bangkok, try landmark, or bel aire princess

Both places are nice. You will enjoy many beautiful beaches in Phuket. Bangkok is capital city, so it's busy and crowded. you will find more variety thing to do. Also, many daytours are available eg floating market or Ayuthaya etc if you are intersted to go outside Bangkok.

Most hotels offer free airport pickup. Phuket is a small island so you don't worry much about transport. In Bangkok, you should select a hotel which close to the sky train or subway, and you don't need to hassle the traffic congestion.

Hair dressing in Thailand is excellent and cheap. The cost for rebonding is around THB 2,000. Please ask them for the range of rebonding products used. Highly recommended to select a good brand and pay a bit extra. With the good product, your hair won't be damaged and it will stay straight upto 6 months.

I don't think you should go to Phuket by boats. I know that there are some luxurious cruise services. You can get a flight from Bangkok to Phuket. Again, it's up to your budget. You can fly with Low Cost airlines and have more money for shopping. Remember, Thailand is paradise for shoppers.

About money exchange service, I suggest you to do it in Bangkok. It's good rate. Check the rate at Bangkok Bank website.

visit pattaya for a couple of days

I would suggest, about 5 days in Bangkok. The rest in Phuket.

Going to BKK to HKT (Phuket) best fly www.airasia.com low cost airline with expat pilots.

Airport to hotel is no worries, in Bangkok it costs around 250 baht including tolls roads, always go for a new looking taxi nd make sure it is on the meter, there is an extra 50 baht for using taxi from the airport.

Hotels, I would suggest Grand Surkimvit for Bangkok it is newly openned (and my friends says it is excellent) www.accorhotel.com part of the Novotel / Softitell chain.

Things to do in Bangkok is go on the skytrain to Thapan Taksin stop go to the river get a toursit boat (yellow boat) no more than 35 baht fare, once every 20 minutes go to the GRand palace stop, get off at the peir walk to GRand palace wear decent clothing no short etc, then after that walk to the Leaning Buddha then take tuk tuk to Khao San Road, maybe about 150 baht for you.

Stroll around the road for back packers have a cold beer, watching the world go by.

Take a taxi to National Stadium Skytrain stop and go back to your hotel.

Next day, go to Pantip Plaza computer mall get all your copy DVD's then cross over the road go to Pratumnam Maket clothing market.

After a hard day shopping go to Bakoike Tower and have a buffet meal on the 76th Floor then visit the viewpoint in the 82th floor rotating.

Phuket,

Patong Bay Garden Hotel we paid 70USD for a kingsize bed and view of the pool and see wonderful location not to far from the hussle and busstle but VERY quiet at night and safe.